Kurt Thomas Grounded in the Community

After 14 years in the NBA, Dallas native Kurt Thomas has learned to add longevity to his career and give back to his community. Thomas was in Dallas on Tuesday, Jan 26th to battle his former team the Dallas Mavericks. In a fight to the end, the Milwaukee Bucks lost by one point (107-108) to Dallas. Thomas has found a way to be an important part of the team, on Tuesday though he only played 11 minutes.

Kurt Thomas vs. Mavericks January 26th

Through his charity organization the Kurt Thomas Investment Challenge, Kurt Thomas brings a group of 50 children from area schools to watch him play, but students must maintain a certain grade point average and have minimal absences in school to participate. Through his organization, Thomas is committed to teaching this generation of young people about financial responsibility. “Our kids should know something outside of sports,” said Thomas.

While in Dallas Thomas spends the majority of his time with family, and in the summers he will often return back to his alma mater Hillcrest High School, to “work out on the track.”

When asked about what has kept him in the association for so long, Thomas credits his strong family base and reiterated his passion for the game and hunger to keep, “playing with the young guys.” As far as plans for what he will do after basketball, he will definitely return home to Dallas. “Dallas is my home, I will never leave Dallas,” he said.

In addition, Thomas has several projects, in the beginning stages. “If I’m blessed (the projects) will be very helpful in the community of Dallas, and if a coaching opportunity presents itself that’s something I might do.”

After being in the league for 14 years and living in several different cities, Thomas still holds an allegiance to the Dallas Cowboys. And when asked about a Super Bowl prediction, Thomas wishes the Cowboys were in Miami, “but I’m gonna have to pull for the Colts…I like Payton Manning,” he said.

With his charitable contributions to the community, Kurt Thomas has found a way to continue to stay grounded in family and maintain a positive image in the NBA as well as in the cities where he has played.